Daylight Saving Time: Keep It Or Lose It?

This was one of our AM 1450 KMMS Daily Poll Questions this week that got a lot of responses on both our text line (406-266-7615) and our Facebook page.

Most people answering the poll thought it was no longer necessary.

The main reason for keeping it seems to be kids on their way to school early in the morning. Setting the clocks back provides a little more daylight for kids waiting for the bus and for many parents it’s a safety issue.

The down side is being this far north the sun sets at about 4:30 pm.

It Was Ben Franklin’s Idea

Yes, good ole Ben Franklin was the first public figure to bring the idea of day light saving time to the public.

But it didn’t happen until many years later.

At the turn of the 20th Century farmers and factories both liked daylight savings because it gave them more hours of daylight in the fields and more light coming through factory windows that cut operating costs.

As you can imagine the early concept had nothing whatever to do with child safety — it was the almighty dollar.

Some Final Thoughts

When I was working I didn’t particularly like going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.

It would be nice if it were one or the other. Since it would probably take an act of congress to change it nationwide, I wouldn’t look for it to be leaving us anytime soon.

So, make sure you dust the snow off your head and tail lights before going to work or coming home. Remember — it’s dark out there.